The Florida fishing forums are a great platform for novices and expert anglers to stay updated on the state's fishing scene. From Boatless Fishing Forum to Stripper Online SurfTalk Forum, anglers can connect, share information, and learn about things. You also learn about some underrated locations, the right fishing gear, and other important stuff.
Amongst the important fishing gear, it’s important to carry a Jackery Portable Power Station to power your essentials when fishing. These are portable, reliable, and efficient battery backups to emerge as a companion for your fishing trips.
Key Takeaways
- There are many popular fishing forums in Florida, from Boatless Fishing Forum to Stripper Online SurfTalk Forum.
- Irrespective of whether you’re a local or a visitor, you must have a license to fish in Florida.
- Summer and spring are the best seasons to fish in Florida, but Wahoo, Sailfish, and Cobia have a good bite rate in winter.
- Essential fishing gear includes a rod and reel combo, hooks, fishing lines, swivels, fishing weights, bobbers, and portable power stations.
10 Florida Fishing Forums
Florida is a great place to fish due to its diverse habitats, great weather, and year-round fishing. It’s a popular activity for locals as well as tourists. So, if you’re in Florida to fish, various online communities provide information, tips, experiences, and advice on fishing locations, equipment and gear, species, and events. Irrespective of your angling journey, you can join these communities for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
These are some of the best Florida fishing forums for your reference, and you can join any:
Boatless Fishing Forum
Boatless Fishing Forum, launched in 2005, is one of the best forums and is greatly popular among fishermen. It provides a great starting point for new anglers and experienced fishermen to get detailed guides to hone their fishing skills and information about fishing gear, meet like-minded people to fish with as a community and create great experiences and memorable days. With over 250,000 posts on 21,900+ fishing topics, the fishing forum has 10,800+ members.
Website: Boatless Fishing Forum
Facebook Group >> Florida Fishing Forum
If you’re an avid Facebook user, you can check out the Florida Fishing Forum. This public group has 9,100+ followers sharing their stories, experiences, memes, and news with fellow anglers. Created in 2009, this page also shares information regarding bass tournaments and job opportunities.
Website: Florida Fishing Forum [Facebook Group]
Florida Fishing - Forums
Tidal Fish Forum is amongst the best and most popular fish forums in Florida, dedicated to Mid-Atlantic fishing and sporting enthusiasts. Here, you’ll find a separate section for saltwater fishing topics, including fishing techniques, fishing reports, conservation efforts, and tackle recommendations.
The community holds 74,500+ members who discuss licenses, safety, reviews, tips, tricks, classifieds, accessories, and more. The forum has been active since 2009 and has created more than 1,900,000 posts related to fishing.
Website: Tidal Fish Forum
The Hull Truth Forum
The Hull Truth Florida fishing forum started in 2010 and is a one-stop solution for new and experienced anglers. With 125,000+ active members, it does much more than provide anglers a platform to share their experiences, tips, and advice with their fellow anglers. The forum has sections for different forums in the Northeast, Carolinas, West Coast, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Florida. You’ll find information regarding meetups happening across the state and can purchase fishing items and even boats directly from the vendors.
Website: The Hull Truth Forum
Florida Sport Fishing Forum
Florida Sport Fishing Forum, or BD Outdoors, is an online fishing community that connects saltwater anglers and is home to the latest fishing news and reports. You can also refer to it for fishing gear reviews, saltwater fishing articles, fishing recipes, tackle tips, and more. The forum also sells exclusive fishing wear like t-shirts, hoodies, hats, etc., and accessories for comfort and protection while fishing and lets you feel a part of the community.
Website: BD Outdoors
Facebook Group >> Florida Keys Fishing Forum
The Florida Keys Fishing Forum Facebook group is a great online community where fishermen can share experiences, have meaningful discussions on local lakes, share fishing tips and techniques, and buy and sell fishing equipment. With 4,000+ active members, the group also posts various fishing-related events and job postings.
Website: Florida Keys Fishing Forum [Facebook Group]
Florida Insider Fishing Report
Florida Insider Fishing Report started as Florida Fishing Report is one of the most-watched fishing shows on TV. This tri-weekly 90-minute show is hosted by Capt. Rick Murphy, Dave Ferrell, and Brie Gabrielle air on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each show features a species of the week, fishing tips and techniques, the latest finishing gears, and conservation information.
Website: Florida Insider Fishing Report
Florida Sportsman
Florida Sportsman started in 1969, aims to entertain and educate readers and viewers with complete information about where-to and how-to fishing information in the state, alongside boating, hinting, and other traditional outdoor activities. It's not only an article but also a complete multimedia source that includes videos to help new anglers and tourists get the best fishing experience.
Additionally, it shares stories of “Florida sportsmen” who are skilled anglers, strive to protect fish and wildlife, love teaching, and find a sense of adventure and fun in the water and woods.
Website: Florida Sportsman
Pier and Surf Forum - Florida
Pier and Surf Forum is a community dedicated to fishing enthusiasts and boat owners along the East Coast and Gulf area. Owned by VerticalScope, it provides the necessary technology that powers the community. Around 25,100+ members come and discuss safety, piers, gear, tackle, accessories, classifieds, and more! Overall, the site has created 956,000+ posts on these topics.
Website: Pier and Surf Forum
Stripper Online SurfTalk Forum
The Stripper Online SurfTalk forum is a great place to discuss anything related to Florida fishing. Whether asking for help with fishing on sunny Florida or targeting bountiful catches in Marco Island, this is the right place. Its large community will help you make the most of fishing experiences in the Sunshine State.
Website: Stripper Online SurfTalk Forum
Florida Fishing License & Permit
In Florida, all saltwater anglers need a permit to fish, even if they catch and release. Get a freshwater fishing license if you fish in lakes and rivers and a saltwater fishing license to hook up in bays, oceans, and lagoons. But if you’re fishing in an estuary, you must be more careful, as you might hook something you aren’t supposed to.
Therefore, purchasing freshwater and saltwater licenses is recommended if you wish to fish anywhere. And if you catch something that’s not allowed, release it immediately. For example, if you have a saltwater license for Redfish, then you can’t catch a Largemouth Bass.
Irrespectively, a license is crucial for each angler, except:
- Youth under 16 years of age
- Seniors above 65 years of age
- Those freshwater fishing on their homestead or homestead of their spouse or minor child
- Ones that are permanently disabled and possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person’s Hunting and Fishing License.
- Members of the armed forces who are at home for 30 days or less
- People just watching or filming others but not assisting in fishing.
- Disabled veterans or active military service members and their families
Here’s a list of licenses and permits needed in Florida:
|
Fishing License |
Price |
|
Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing |
$17.00 |
|
Resident Annual Saltwater Fishing |
$17.00 |
|
Resident Annual Fresh & Saltwater Fishing |
$32.50 |
|
Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing and Hunting |
$32.50 |
|
Non-Resident 7-day Freshwater Fishing |
$30.00 |
|
Non-Resident Freshwater Annual Fishing |
$47.00 |
|
Non-Resident 7-day Saltwater Fishing |
$30.00 |
|
Non-Resident Annual Saltwater Fishing |
$47.00 |
|
Non-Resident 3-day Saltwater Fishing |
$17.00 |
|
Lobster permit |
$5.00 |
|
Snook permit |
$10.00 |
|
Resident 5 yr. Lobster permit |
$25.00 |
|
Resident 5 yr. Snook permit |
$50.00 |
|
Resident Saltwater Shoreline |
$0.00 |
Source: Saltwater Recreational Licenses and Permits | FWC
Florida Fishing Seasons & Species
There’s hardly any better place on the planet to fish than Florida, which is why it’s known as the “Fishing Capital of the world.” You can access fantastic offshore, inshore, and deep water action, often in the same location. Added to it is its beautiful weather, paired with 1,350 miles of coastline and hundreds of charter guides, you’re at the angling epicenter of the US.
But what is the right season to fish in Florida? The answer is simple—something will bite the lure, irrespective of when you visit. With the Gulf Stream near the East Atlantic Coast of Florida and the warm waters of the Gulf in the West, hooking up won’t be a problem.
The general thumb rule, however, is that summer and spring are the most productive times of the year. It is when offshore and inshore fishes come out to play, and the bite is off the charts. However, Wahoo, Sailfish, and Cobia are a few species with a massive bite rate during winter. So, deciding when to fish in Florida depends on which species you want to catch. Here’s a fishing calendar of some of the best species in the state:
Now that you know when to catch what, here’s some info about them:
King Mackerel
King Mackerels are deep-sea fish that prefer cold waters and grow up to 5.5 feet long and around 100 pounds. Also known as kings or kingfish, they’re migratory fish found in a stretch from Gulf Coast to Pensacola in spring, near river mouths and beaches in summer, and head to South Florida in winter. One is allowed to keep three mackerel per person with a size limit of 24 inches.
Tarpon
Also named “Silver Kings,” they rule Florida’s inshore realm, and catching them is both thrilling and fun for avid anglers. These massive fishes weigh in triple digits and are astonishing acrobats and fighters. They stay in shallow waters during spring and summer while go deep waters in winter.
Grouper
These deepwater fishes aren’t as good-looking but delightful to feast on. There are 17 Grouper subspecies, and most of them stay on the top list to catch anglers. Gag and Black Grouper are the topmost, followed by Scamp, Goliath, Warsaw, and Red Grouper.
Snook
Snooks are highly sensitive to water temperature and come ashore during summer when the water is warm. These are voracious and strong predators and can rip a fishing line to shreds, which makes it fun for anglers to catch them.
Largemouth Bass
Florida’s official freshwater fish, this internationally acclaimed fish, is on the catch list of anglers worldwide. These are the kings of rivers and lakes, and a big bass eats almost anything, baby ducks or squirrels.
Wahoo
Amongst the fastest fishes on the planet, catching Wahoo is always exhilarating. They are pretty much moving throughout the year, but they often bite off at the blue waters of the Atlantic coast. As for the size, they range between 10 and 25 pounds, but larger 30+ lb specimens can earn you a fortune.
Sailfish
Similar to largemouth bass, salfish is Florida’s official saltwater fish, and it primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical waters. Their long, high first dorsal fin and acrobatic jumps make them favorites of bluewater anglers.
Snapper
Snapper is an offshore fish whose sizes range from 60 to 440 feet and is considered one of the finest fishes. Snappers are a common target in Florida waters, but the harvesting limit depends on the subtypes.
Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi is the most colorful and astonishing-looking species. It can be caught offshore through November, and it moves to the Apalachicola areas and Panama City in May. As it lives underwater under floating debris, it isn’t an easy target and requires careful planning.
Amberjack
Amberjacks are the hardest-fighting fish and often the most caught species in Florida. They typically weigh 20-40 pounds and sometimes 100+ pounds, requiring a strong arm to reel them in.
Top 10 Spots to Go Fishing in Florida
Ask an angler, and each will name something different, as there’s something for everyone in this state. Here are some of the most unique fishing spots to fish on in Florida:
Florida Keys
Florida Keys, with a 100-mile stretch of clear blue water with a lot of fish, is Florida’s fishing paradise. Flats and backcountry fishing are the most popular, while deep-sea fishing also delivers a gratifying experience. Some of the best fish you can catch are Tarpon, Snook, Permit, Tuna, Sailfish, and Marlin.
Destin
Destin, nicknamed the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” is among the most appreciated fishing towns. Why? Nestled between the Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay, it happens to be a perfect mix of offshore and inshore fishing. Your targets include big Grouper and Snapper species, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, Wahoo, Billfish, and Tuna.
Panama City Beach
Thousands of local and visiting anglers visit Panama City Beach for its beautiful beaches, productive waters, and probably the best fishing spots in Florida. Its long stretch along the sand makes fishing a satisfying and rewarding experience. Imagine catching Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Flounder, Cobia, and others in the same place.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is one of the top inshore fishing destinations in Florida. It holds large numbers of Snook, Red and Black Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Jack Crevalle, Sheepshead, and many more. There’s also an offshore action going around with populars like Blackfin Tuna, Amberjack, Gag Grouper, and Red Snapper. The best part is something definitely bites throughout the year.
Miami
Fishing in Miami is often an overlooked activity with the city’s vibrant culture and exciting nightlife. But those who have visited the fishing scene, they’ll know what these can offer. Its deep sea fishing is the most famous, as you’ll find hundreds of Wahoo, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna funnel through Miami’s offshore waters.
Fort Myers
Moving towards the south, Fort Myers or Cape Coral is Florida’s one of the most popular fishing destinations. Redfish, Trout, and Snook flood the waters here, while other top species include Tarpon, Goliath Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, various Sharks, Cobia, and others.
Naples
Naples is Florida’s other excellent fishing destination, located at the heart of Paradise Coast. Its stunning beaches and turquoise waters make it a perfect holiday destination that offers other family activities as well. Talking about fishing, it has something throughout the year, and you can catch almost everything from Spotted Seatrout to Blacktip Shark. You can take your boat along the line to catch fish like nowhere else.
Sarasota
Sarasota is popular for inshore fishing, mainly due to its network of sand bards, flats, and seagrass meadows. You can either roam across mangrove tunnels for Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Seatrout or check out some reefs for deep-water fishing and target a range of species, from Grouper and Snapper to Sheepshead and Bluefish.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is an attractive place for anglers, as the variety is plenty here. Head south to Mosquito Lagoon to hook species like Red and Black Drum, Snook, and Sheepshead. Take a long ride to hook Wahoo or some of the best Largemouth Bass in the inland.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville sits right at the mouth of St. Jones River, facing the Atlantic Ocean, which offers endless saltwater and freshwater opportunities for anglers. Irrespective of where you go, expect a day of action to target top species like King Mackerel, Black Drum, Redfish, and Cobia. You can travel outside the inlet to find lots of Sharks, Amberjack, Grouper, Snapper, and Sailfish.
Fishing Gear That You’ll Need Every Time
Fishing isn’t the same for everyone and is more complex than you can imagine. There are so many gears out there, and it’s crucial to know where to start and how to make the most of your fishing trips. Below is the list of the must-have gear for your next fishing trip, whether in Florida or other spots.
|
Florida Fishing Gear |
||
|
Rod & Reel Combo |
Hooks |
Fishing Line |
|
Swivels |
Fishing weights |
Bobbers |
|
Hard Bait |
In-Line Spinner Lures |
Crimpers |
|
Needle Nose Pliers |
Fish finder |
Tackle Box |
In addition to the above, when in mid-water, you can use a Jackery Portable Power Station to power an electric fishing winch, fishing reel, and other necessary appliances.
Jackery Portable Power Stations for Fishing in Florida
Jackery is a pioneer in manufacturing top-quality solar products, including portable power stations, solar generators, and solar panels. Over the years, it has received several accolades and awards for creating eco-friendly sources of battery backups.
A Jackery Portable Power Station is a great way to power up your essential fishing tools and other appliances where there’s no power source and carrying heavy equipment is prohibited. It builds in a pure sine wave inverter that converts the DC current produced by Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels into usable current to power up your battery-powered fishing gear, such as fish finders, electric fishing reels, trolling motors, etc.
Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station is recommended for m fishing trips in deep, back, or flat water. It includes three USB connections and enough power to run most fishing gear, smartphones, and other small appliances simultaneously for a decent period of time.
Appliances Running Time:
- Electric Fishing Reel (60W): 7.3H
- Electric Fishing Rod (10W): 44.03H
- USB Lure (2.5W): 176.12H
- Fish Finder (150W): 2.9H
- Fishing Cooler (60W): 7.3H
Customer Review: “Lasted at least five nights to charge the lights for my theme camp. I am slowly building up to the solar panels, so this time I recharged it on my friends' generator once, to have it last a few more nights.” - Byrdie.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
If you need comparatively less power, then the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is probably an ideal pick. It has dual PD ports and 52 protective features. Its lightweight design, fast charging capacity, and stable power output make it a great battery backup for your mid-range fishing gear.
Appliances Running Time:
- Electric Fishing Reel (60W): 4.08H
- Electric Fishing Rod (10W): 24.48H
- USB Lure (2.5W): 97.92H
- Fish Finder (150W): 1.6H
- Fishing Cooler (60W): 4.08H
Customer Review: “First test, I ran my 37 QT 12V fridge/freezer on Eco mode for 7 hours. At the end of the test, Jackery was still at 28%. Very happy with it for the price and capability!”- Allen Wells
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station
If you need a more portable unit to power your equipment on your short fishing trip, the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station can be a reliable companion. You can carry it in a small backpack throughout the day without hurting your back, and it can charge three devices simultaneously. This makes it a great pick for anglers planning a deepwater fishing trip in Florida.
Appliances Running Time:
- Laptop (60W): 1.4H
- Drone Camera Battery (80W): 1.0H
- Smartphone (20W): 4.2H
- Flashlight (10W): 8.4H
Customer Review: “We do seasonal camping and we have used the Jackery 100 outside on the campground table for charging our phones. We have charging ports inside the trailer, but the Jackery 100 allows us to charge outside.” - Marcus Wright.
Tips for Fishing in Florida
What separates seasoned anglers from beginners is their knowledge of the fishing techniques and strategic tricks to follow. Below are a few tips to make the most out of their fishing trips in Florida:
- Determine When and Where to Fish: To start, determine the best location to fish in Florida and what type of fish you want to hook. It further dictates the type of fishing: deep, flat, and bank fishing. Also, the type of season dictates the productivity of a location, so research each of these beforehand.
- Pack the Right Gear: Depending on your fishing target, it’s crucial to pack your gear. The most common gear includes reels and rods, lines, tackle boxes, and portable power stations.
- Keep Moving: Rather than sticking to a single location for a fish to hook, keep moving and try your luck elsewhere. Or use a fish finder to determine your best chance.
Master Fishing Techniques: Not only gears, it’s essential to learn appropriate techniques to make the most of your fishing trip and catch fish. Some of the important techniques include:
- Jigging: Jigging or jig fishing is a technique that involves using a weighted lure to imitate a struggling bait fish and trick fish into biting.
- Casting: Casting is an act where an angler throws a hook, bait, and other attached terminal tackles by making a slinging action of the rod.
- Topwater Fishing: In this technique, anglers use the water surface level to lure a fish. This imitates prey for the fish to strike.
- Bottom Fishing: Unlike topwater fishing, the bait is presented at the bottom to lure species that stay deepwater.
- Fly Fishing: Here, anglers use an artificial fly to catch a fish.
Florida Fishing Forum FAQs
What size of portable power station do I need for fishing?
The size of a portable power station depends on the number of appliances that power simultaneously and the estimated usage time. Let’s consider powering an electric fishing reel (60W), electric fishing rod (10W), and fishing cooler (60W) using a Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station. So,
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Appliances
Working Hours= 288Wh*0.85/130W = 1.88H
Note: 0.85 is multiplied to consider the overall power loss during charging.
What is the number one fishing spot in Florida?
Destin FL is nicknamed World's Luckiest Fishing Village, and no two fishing trips there look the same.
Where to surf fish in Florida?
Some popular locations in Florida to surf fish include Destin, Pensacola Beach, Mexico Beach, and Navarre Beach.
Can you fish in the Florida Keys?
Yes, the Florida Keys are amongst the top destinations for fishing.
What is the most overfished fish in Florida?
Groupers and snappers have been studied to be the most overfished fish in Florida.
Final Thoughts
Florida is an excellent destination for anglers to fish on, but there are certain things to keep in mind. The Florida fishing forums are established by anglers to help novices, experts, and locals with the knowledge and experience they have over the years and help the community to fish the right way. You can access these online communities to learn about the regulations, get insights, explore new areas, and share fishing reports. Besides, these forums provide information about the right gear to carry for fishing, like Jackery Portable Power Stations. These portable, efficient, and reliable power stations come as an ideal companion for your fishing trips.
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